Filed under: Concept Cars , Budget , Sedan , Hatchback , Toyota , Beijing Motor Show , Design/Style Details on the pair of Dear Qin concepts that Toyota unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show this week are sparse, but they do hint at something interesting coming to every market where the Japanese automaker sells cars. Calling them “global-strategic concepts,” Toyota says the sedan and hatchback versions of the Dear Qin models have “a design aiming to attract more people to the user base.” With that curious statement in mind, the first promotional video for the Dear Qin models (which you can watch by scrolling below ) is both language- and information-free, emphasizing the design of the cars for a global audience. With explosions and lightning, of course. Reports have said that Toyota is working on a new global, front-wheel drive model that is supposed to be launched in 2013. We can imagine these concepts foreshadowing those cars, and hope we get a pair of highly efficient compacts out of the design process. We’ll skip the explosions and lightning, though. Continue reading Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video] Toyota Dear Qin hatch, sedan foreshadow new global FWD models [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Hybrid , Geneva Motor Show , Etc. , Toyota Toyota has let slip a few additional teasers for the company’s FT-Bh concept headed to the Geneva Motor Show in March. As you may recall, the vehicle is an engineering study designed to evaluate what kind of emission reductions can be accomplished in the city car segment without resorting to exotic materials or science-fiction drivetrains. Toyota says the concept emits around 50 percent less CO2 than your run-of-the-mill supermini thanks in part to the fact that it tips the scales at a feathery 1,763 pounds. The hybrid’s aerodynamic shape and efficient powertrain also contribute to the reduction. While the FT-Bh isn’t headed to production any time soon, there’s a good chance some of the vehicle’s tricks may show up on consumer models in the near future. Hit the jump to check out a short teaser video and the press release, and be sure to stay tuned for our live Geneva Motor Show coverage. Continue reading Toyota releases new FT-Bh teasers ahead of Geneva Toyota releases new FT-Bh teasers ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Hybrid , Hatchback , Toyota Toyota has released a quick teaser video for the company’s NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept ahead of the vehicle’s debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show . Though less than a minute in length, the clip gives us a clear look at the vehicle’s badges as well as quick line-drawing outline. Toyota has released few details about the NS4 beyond saying the vehicle will be an “advanced plug-in hybrid.” Whether that means the vehicle will boast new battery, engine or motor technology remains to be seen. Odds are the NS4 will be used to display new design language for the entire Toyota hybrid fleet. The NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept will debut next week, along with the company’s Prius C ; a Yaris -sized hybrid with better fuel economy figures than the current Prius. While the model has received an unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show , we’ve yet to see the vehicle on American soil. Hit the jump to check out the NS4 Concept teaser video for yourself. Continue reading Toyota teases NS4 plug-in hybrid concept again Toyota teases NS4 plug-in hybrid concept again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Detroit Auto Show , Hybrid , Toyota , Electric Toyota is bringing a new concept to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show . The company calls its NS4 showcar an “advanced” plug-in hybrid , though it hasn’t shared any more information beyond the vehicle’s name. While we can’t say for certain, odds are the concept will give us a glimpse of what the company has planned for future hybrid design instead of boasting any tangible next-generation technology. As you may recall, Toyota and BMW recently partnered up to create a new lithium-ion battery pack, so it may be some time before we see the tech debut, even in a concept vehicle. Toyota has also made it clear the company will bring along the Prius C , which will make its North American debut at the Detroit show (see gallery below). The Prius C rides on a platform about the same size as the Yaris , but comes packing a hybrid drivetrain. Word has it the vehicle will come with Prius-besting EPA fuel economy figures, too. Hit the jump for the brief press release, and stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the Detroit show. Continue reading Toyota confirms NS4 plug-in hybrid concept and production Prius C for Detroit Toyota confirms NS4 plug-in hybrid concept and production Prius C for Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

Filed under: Concept Cars , Convertible , Hybrid , Performance , Tokyo Motor Show , Toyota , Specialty With everyone predictably swarming over the Toyobaru Twins here at the Tokyo Motor Show , one bit of performance geekery has been largely overlooked. Toyota brought out the second iteration of its MR-S/MR2-based GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept , with an all-new look, more carbon fiber and a reworked hybrid powertrain. The standard 2ZZ four-cylinder (or lesser 1ZZ in the States) has been swapped out for a 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidships and outputting 247 horsepower. While that’s not much juice from a big V6, the addition of an electric motor powering the front wheels brings overall output up to just under 300 hp, allowing the 3,300-pound roadster to run to 60 mph in the mid-five-second range. If you’re wondering about the name, it’s an acronym for “Gazoo Racing tuned by Meister of the N

Filed under: Concept Cars , Tokyo Motor Show , Hatchback , Toyota , Electric Toyota unveiled a handful of production and concept Aqua models at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show . As you may recall, the Aqua will serve as the Prius C here in the United States when it lands at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2012. The Yaris -sized hatchback will come equipped with a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, though Toyota hasn’t said what we can expect in terms of total output. We do know that the vehicle’s svelte curb weight and smaller engine will likely translate into Prius-besting fuel economy numbers, so buyers can look forward to over 50 mpg in the city. The brightly-colored Aqua Kiriri Version and Aqua Piriri Version joined the production Aqua under the lights in Tokyo, giving the world a better idea of what the model could offer in terms of dealer modification. The little hatch looks sharp, and the fuel economy figures are enough to make anyone grin. Toyota Aqua concepts hint at Prius C possibilities originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Coupe , Tokyo Motor Show , Hatchback , Toyota , Electric The Tokyo Motor Show wackiness has officially begun, and the first far-out concept comes courtesy of Toyota and the Fun-Vii. Forget custom paint jobs and vinyl graphics, the Fun-Vii lets you change the exterior design “with the same ease as downloading an application,” allowing drivers to display everything from custom messages to flashy graphics through some manner of magical exterior display technology. The same goes for the interior, which Toyota claims can be customized to suit the mood of the driver, with a variety of themes and an augmented reality function taking place of the traditional navigation system. Less far-out is the incorporation of a “navigation concierge” that provides up-to-the-second driving and multimedia information through a virtual assistant. And naturally, the Fun-Vii interfaces with both your smartphone and other road users, adding both a safety and social element to the driving experience. We’ll be getting an eye-full of the Fun-Vii on Wednesday, but in the meantime, get the minimal details in the press release below the fold . Continue reading Toyota Fun-Vii is rolling, customizable weirdness Toyota Fun-Vii is rolling, customizable weirdness originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Motorsports , Toyota Developed by a subsidiary of Toyota Motors called Toyota Industries Corp., the arrow you see above is the three-wheeled Ku:Rin. Powered by compressed air, the Ku:Rin showcases Toyota’s expertise in developing compressors for automotive air conditioning systems. Recently, the Ku:Rin prototype hit the track at Japan Automobile Research Institute’s test facility in search of a speed record for compressed air vehicles. The Ku:Rin’s posted top speed of 80.3 miles per hour should be enough to rocket it into the record books, and Toyota says it will submit the results to Guinness World Records. Power for the Ku:Rin comes from a reversed A/C compressor that generates energy from the expansion of compressed air, while the vehicle’s on-board compressed air tanks serve as “fuel.” Though 80 mph seems reasonable, the Ku:Rin’s two-mile total range is laughable. This thing may be fast, but talk about range anxiety. Toyota Ku:Rin snags compressed air top speed record with 80.3 mph run originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Concept Cars , Etc. , Videos , Toyota , Design/Style Everywhere we look we’re surrounded by “smart” technology embedded into everyday items. Refrigerators have built-in televisions and internet connections, while our phones contain more computing power than a NASA control room from the ’70s. Automakers are also ready to ride the tech-train to tomorrow, and Toyota has provided a glimpse of a new way to give passengers a window to the world. A car already has such a window, but what if the glass was able to provide both information of the world outside and an interactive tool to view it. Engineers and designers from Toyota Motor Europe and the Copenhagen Instituted of Interaction Design have begun thinking about the future, and it could feature a rather unique option for the rear windows. Touch-screen glass would allow one to see how far objects lie in the distance, pinch to zoom on an area outside and to generally learn more about what’s going on outside. It’s called the Window to the World concept, and you can experience it by watching the video after the jump . Continue reading Toyota offers back-seat passengers a new Window to the World Toyota offers back-seat passengers a new Window to the World originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

Filed under: Concept Cars , Spy Photos , Coupe , Budget , Performance , Scion , Subaru , Toyota 2013 Toyobaru – Click above for high-res image gallery These shots appear to be of the Subaru version of the planned, talked-about, redesigned, and talked-about-some-more 2013 Scion FR-S /Toyota FT-86/ Toyobaru . According to our reader spy, this version was wearing Subaru distributor plates, pretty much giving away its true identity. While the heavy camo does a great job obscuring the a good look at the car, and the shots are taken from a distance, it looks like the Subaru coupe will sport slightly more understated lines than its stablemate at Scion. Toyobaru spotted on the 405? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 May 2011 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink